POLITICS
Poll results gave United Russia a disappointing 49.5 percent of the vote by Monday morning after State Duma elections that took place amid an unprecedented series of detentions, threats and attacks against the independent media, election observers and opposition activists.
(The Moscow Times, Kommersant, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, Moskovskie Novosti, Vedomosti, Izvestia)
At least 5,000 protesters vented their frustration with the State Duma vote on Monday evening in central Moscow at one of the biggest liberal opposition rallies in recent years.
(The Moscow Times, Kommersant, Moskovskie Novosti)
South Ossetian opposition members continue to stand on the central Teatralnaya Square in the former Georgian republic to demand the recognition of Alla Dzhioyeva as their elected president in what outgoing President Eduard Kokoity described as an “orange revolution attempt”
(Kommersant, Nezavisimaya Gazeta)
The first parliamentary elections in Egypt after the fall of Hosni Mubarak paved the way for radical Islamic movements to take power. However, observers warn that the country might follow the path of Iran and Afghanistan
(Rossiiskaya Gazeta)
The Russian Foreign Ministry downgraded its status of diplomatic relations with Qatar after Russia’s ambassador was attacked and injured by security personnel in the Doha airport, who reportedly tried to seize his diplomatic mail. Russia demanded an official apology but there was no response so far
(Kommersant, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Rossiiskaya Gazeta)
ECONOMY
The global economic downturn hasn’t hit Russians’ purchasing power significantly, with this year’s spending on gifts and entertainment during the New Year’s holidays expected to grow 11 percent from 2010, while most Europeans plan to cut their holiday expenditures.
(The Moscow Times)
Russia’s annual inflation rate slipped in November to 6.8 percent, according to data on Monday showing a sixth consecutive monthly fall, increasing chances that the Central Bank may loosen monetary policy as the economy slows.
(The Moscow Times, Kommersant)
While Russia’s expected accession to the World Trade Organization in 2012 could be used in a struggle between Gazprom and the European Union, the move is unlikely to have a big impact on the country’s domestic gas industry or export revenues.
(The Moscow Times)
French President Nicholas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met to discuss a joint plan to save the euro, which they are to put forward at the forthcoming summit in Brussels on Friday. Meanwhile, Analysts say that the financial reports some countries submitted upon their accession to the eurozone had been embellished and that real figures would have disqualified them from joining not only the eurozone but also the European Union
(Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, Vedomosti)
METALS MINING
Alexei Mordashov’s gold mining company, Nord Gold, may lose 15-35% in its largest asset, Guinea’s Crew Gold, which it acquired for almost $500 million
(Vedomosti)
OIL GAS
Russia’s ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov said new Russian-Ukrainian gas deals are likely to be signed before year-end
(Nezavisimaya Gazeta)
TNK-BP, currently developing a gas project in Vietnam that was acquired from its major shareholder BP, has also bid for ConocoPhillips assets in the Asian country, TNK-BP’s head of upstream operations Alexander Dodds said
(The Moscow Times, Kommersant)
AEROSPACE
The U.S. Curiosity probe to Mars was sent on its journey under an optimal orbit, allowing it to cancel the previously scheduled path correction. Meanwhile, Russian scientists have almost lost hope in contacting Russia’s Phobos-Grunt probe
(Moskovskie Novosti)
TELECOMS IT
Russia’s State Radio Frequency Commission may allow mobile phone operators to set up experimental LTE zones. However, the struggle between the “Big Three” mobile phone operators and Rostelekom for the right to build 4G networks is yet to come
(Kommersant)
SOCIETY
Two Dagestani brothers living in Moscow were both sentenced to 14 months in prison Monday for harboring a female member of an Islamist group that had planned terror attacks in the capital.
(The Moscow Times, Kommersant, Rossiiskaya Gazeta)
Russia’s Supreme Court has turned down a request by two companies of Domodedovo airport to declare illegal the Russian Transport Ministry’s move to make transport hubs responsible for security and prevention of terrorist attacks
(Kommersant, Moskovskie Novosti)
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